Advocate Editorial Board opinion: More than good food needed for success

Small businesses are the lifeblood of America's prosperity. Each business is a small link in the chain of our local, regional, state and national economy, so we are proud to see businesses in our area that have prospered and grown for decades, even generations.

One such business in Victoria is The Corral Restaurant, which had its 60th anniversary this year. Albert Totah became a partner in the restaurant in December 1952, and became the sole proprietor after he bought out his partner in 1953. Since then, Totah has been the sole proprietor of the restaurant.

We are glad to see this business continue to prosper as part of the Victoria community. It is businesses like these that become landmarks and contribute in a positive way to community life. The Corral sign has definitely become a landmark in Victoria. As Totah says, people driving into town on U.S. 59 look for the sign of an Indian firing a flaming arrow onto the building along the highway.

Totah has been involved in different aspects of the Victoria community for years. His involvement includes taking part in the Victoria Chamber of Commerce, the city's building and standards commission, the health department board of directors and serving 17 years on the Housing Authority board, including five as chairman. He also helped found a regional chapter of the Texas Restaurant Association and was named to the group's hall of honor in 1989.

All of these accomplishments show something we already believe: Good businesses are created and run by good people. If the leadership is good and community-minded, the business is much more likely to be the same, and we see these traits in The Corral.

But while these traits are important, they are only temporary if not passed on to the next generation. In Totah's case, we are glad to see his daughter Cassandra Garcia is working at the restaurant and learning the family business, just like her father did when he was growing up. With this kind of involvement from the next generation, we hope to see the iconic Corral sign lighting up the Victoria skyline for many years to come.

So we applaud Totah for his commitment to the Victoria community and his love for the restaurant business. We are proud to have such a quality restaurant as The Corral in Victoria, and we hope to enjoy its food and service for many years to come.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.